April 13, 1946 – June 20, 2022
Maxine Marie Harvey Bracken of Ladoga, Ind., and Louisville, Ky., died unexpectedly on June 20, 2022, at St. Vincent Hospital-Carmel with her husband of 57 years, Merrill, at her side following complications from chemotherapy. Maxine was born on April 13, 1946, in Lebanon, Ind., to Max and Edith Harvey, the fourth of five children.
Maxine graduated from Westfield High School, Class of 1964. In high school, she was in band and a 10-year 4-H member. It was at the Hamilton County Fair in 1960 that she met the love of her life, Merrill Dean Bracken of Noblesville. They married on September 26, 1964 and spent the next 57 years working side-by-side raising their children, farming, raising and showing cattle, and owning and operating Bracken’s Steak America while representing the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
When she was not working her usual 12-plus hour days on either the farm or at Bracken’s Steak America, Maxine enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and watching the Hallmark Channel. She had excellent business acumen and valued hard work, honesty, efficiency, education, and empowerment of women business owners. She loved her family and cherished the times we were all able to be together. She was very proud of her children and her grandchildren and all they have accomplished. She was a member of The Woodlands United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, where her daughter serves as a pastor.
Maxine is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Martha Jo Poe; and infant daughter, Cheryl Marie Bracken. She is survived by her husband, Merrill; her children, Jill (J.R.) Emerson of Westfield, Joy (Joel) Johnston of Kingwood, Texas, and Jerry (Laura) Bracken of Trafalgar, Ind.; seven grandchildren, Jamie, Joules and Jackson Emerson, Jeremiah, Evija, and Josie Johnston, and Kenzie Bracken; and her three brothers, Tommy, Steve, and Jimmy Harvey.
The family will receive guests 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at Randall & Roberts Funeral Center, 1685 Westfield Road, Noblesville. A Celebration of Life will be held 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at Randall & Roberts, with the Rev. Jill Moffett officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Carey Cemetery, 22221 State Road 37 N., Noblesville.
Condolences: randallroberts.com